Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved plate and screw systems for use in fusion and other surgical procedures, which improve the ability to effectively affix adjacent bodies without gapping or experiencing loss of compression over time. The systems include plates having armatures configured to receive bushings, the bushings configured to pivot and rotate and thereby permit a greater degree of orientation of corresponding screws placed through the bushings. In embodiments, the bushings comprise anti-rotation elements which lock the bushings in a desired orientation. Methods for use of the components described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for developing customized apparatus, such as occipital guides, for use in one or more surgical procedures is disclosed. The system and method incorporates a patient's unique anatomical features or morphology, which may be derived from capturing MRI data or CT data, to fabricate at least one custom apparatus or guide. According to a preferred embodiment, the customized apparatus comprises at least one patient-specific surface and or contour. Apparatus, including one or more surgical guides, may be matched in duplicate and oriented around the patient's own anatomy, and may further provide any desired axial alignments or insertional trajectories. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus may further be aligned and/or matched with at least one other apparatus during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved plate and screw systems for use in fusion and other surgical procedures, which improve the ability to effectively affix adjacent bodies without gapping or experiencing loss of compression over time. The systems include plates having armatures configured to receive bushings, the bushings configured to pivot and rotate and thereby permit a greater degree of orientation of corresponding screws placed through the bushings. In embodiments, the bushings comprise anti-rotation elements which lock the bushings in a desired orientation. Methods for use of the components described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an orthopedic implant system comprising an implant including a threaded aperture which receives either a first non-locking bone fastener or a second threaded variable axis locking fastener. The threaded aperture includes interruptions to form sections having a thread segment. The variable axis locking fastener has a threaded head configured to cause the threads to wedge against the female threads of the aperture as the fastener is tightened into the aperture in an off-axis orientation. In a further embodiment, the aperture includes a concentric annular groove to form flexible threaded fines.

Abstract: A system and method for developing customized apparatus, such as guides, for use in one or more surgical procedures is disclosed. The system and method incorporates a patient's unique anatomical features or morphology, which may be derived from capturing MRI data or CT data, to fabricate at least one custom apparatus or guide. According to a preferred embodiment, the customized apparatus comprises at least one patient-specific surface and or contour, which may be derived from MRI or CT data. Apparatus may be matched in duplicate and oriented around the patient's own anatomy, and may further provide any desired axial alignments or surgical instrument insertional trajectories. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus may further be aligned and/or matched and/or nested with at least one other apparatus during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A system and method of protecting individuals from ionizing energy is provided. The system can determine a location of an individual with respect to a source of ionizing energy. Before the source emits ionizing energy, the system can determine patterns of ionizing energy expected to be generated by an expected emission from the source. The system can then determine if an individual is within a danger zone in which the individual is expected to receive a dose of ionizing energy above a predetermined amount. The system may also determine if an individual is outside of an optimal zone in which the individual is expected to receive less than a predetermined dose of ionizing energy without being unnecessarily distant from a working area. The system can provide a warning when an individual is within the danger or inefficient zones. Optionally, the system can prevent the source from emitting ionizing energy when an individual is within the danger zone.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning instruments, which provides removal and collection of material from one or more surgical instruments. The cleaning apparatus may be a dry cleaning process or offered in conjunction with one or more fluids. In one embodiment, the cleaning apparatus continuously purges blood, bone and other debris quickly and may comprise a system for removing reusable material from the cleaning process for reuse.

Abstract: A system and method of protecting individuals from ionizing energy is provided. The system can determine a location of an individual with respect to a source of ionizing energy. Before the source emits ionizing energy, the system can determine patterns of ionizing energy expected to be generated by an expected emission from the source. The system can then determine if an individual is within a danger zone in which the individual is expected to receive a dose of ionizing energy above a predetermined amount. The system may also determine if an individual is outside of an optimal zone in which the individual is expected to receive less than a predetermined dose of ionizing energy without being unnecessarily distant from a working area. The system can provide a warning when an individual is within the danger or inefficient zones. Optionally, the system can prevent the source from emitting ionizing energy when an individual is within the danger zone.

Abstract: A system and method for developing customized apparatus, such as occipital guides, for use in one or more surgical procedures is disclosed. The system and method incorporates a patient's unique anatomical features or morphology, which may be derived from capturing MRI data or CT data, to fabricate at least one custom apparatus or guide. According to a preferred embodiment, the customized apparatus comprises at least one patient-specific surface and or contour. Apparatus, including one or more surgical guides, may be matched in duplicate and oriented around the patient's own anatomy, and may further provide any desired axial alignments or insertional trajectories. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus may further be aligned and/or matched with at least one other apparatus during the surgical procedure.

Abstract: A system and method of protecting individuals from ionizing energy is provided. The system can determine and monitor the location of an individual, relative to a source of ionizing energy. The system can determine patterns of ionizing energy expected to be generated by an expected emission from the source. The system can then determine if an individual is within a “danger” zone in which the individual is expected to receive a dose of ionizing energy above an acceptable or prescribed amount. The system may also determine if an individual is outside of an optimal zone in which the individual is expected to receive less than a predetermined dose of ionizing energy without being unnecessarily distant from a working area. The system can provide a warning or initiate other actions when an individual is within a danger zone or an inefficient zone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved plate and screw systems for use in fusion and other surgical procedures, which improve the ability to effectively affix adjacent bodies without gapping or experiencing loss of compression over time. The systems include plates having armatures configured to receive bushings, the bushings configured to pivot and rotate and thereby permit a greater degree of orientation of corresponding screws placed through the bushings. In embodiments, the bushings comprise anti-rotation elements which lock the bushings in a desired orientation. Methods for use of the components described herein are also disclosed.